New York, US (PANA) - The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) on Tuesday
appointed New York-based leading fashion designer Kenneth Cole, as a UNAIDS
International Goodwill Ambassador.

Mr. Cole is also Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Foundation
for AIDS Research (amfAR), an international non-profit organization dedicated to
the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the
advocacy of AIDS-related public policy.

PANA in New York reports that the announcement was made at a special event
held on the eve of the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS,
taking place at the UN headquarters from 8 to 10 June.

"We are entering a crucial phase of the response to HIV and I know that Kenneth
Cole can make a significant and powerful contribution towards our shared vision
of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030," Michel Sidibe, UANIDS Executive Director,
said. "Kenneth Cole's commitment, compassion and resolve will magnify our efforts
to include everyone and to ensure that no one is left behind."

Sidibe noted that in his new role as UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador,
Mr. Cole would work to rally the global community by continuing his longstanding
role as an advocate for an inclusive response to the AIDS epidemic.

He will also help with the communication of clear benchmarks and goals in the
AIDS response, including amfAR’s mission of finding a cure for HIV by 2020,
in order to realize UNAIDS’ vision of ending AIDS as a public health threat by
2030.

Responding, Mr. Cole stated: "I am confident that if people are put at the centre
of the AIDS response, we can realize one of this century’s greatest humanitarian
achievements - the end of the AIDS epidemic.

"I am honoured by this appointment as a UNAIDS International Goodwill
Ambassador. It is my hope to help intensify efforts to end the epidemic for
everyone, everywhere."

Mr. Cole has been a leading voice in the global response to AIDS for more than
30 years and continues to be a passionate champion for people living with HIV.

As well as managing his business interests, Mr. Cole has been chairman of
amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, since 2005.

He was instrumental in the launch of amfAR’s Countdown to a Cure campaign,
which supports amfAR’s recently opened Institute for HIV Research, based
at the University of California, San Francisco, US.

The mission of the institute is to accelerate progress towards developing a
cure for HIV.
-0- PANA AA/AR 7June2016